The most difficult part of adapting to Ojai, California on a recent trip was pronouncing the name. “Oh-hi,”is the way. After that, I melted like organic free-range butter in this pristine valley town tucked away in the westerly mountains of Ventura County.
Sometimes I love with a place because of the people, other times it is the land itself. For me, the scale was tipped immediately upon rolling into a cushy valley, welcomed overhead by a blue sky, lush trees, humble but meticulously kept houses and mountain views.
An easy drive from either Santa Barbara or Los Angeles, it’s a near perfect getaway, somewhat reasonably priced place to go to relax in a peaceful, beautiful and boring town.
Let me be clearer, boring is a good thing here. I mean the bored that happens when life is seamless, the weather is great, your belly is full, plans are set and other people are calmly minding their own business. The kind of bored that you’ll never be in New York City and could kill for just for the chance to catch your breath.
Little Ojai has actually grown considerably in the last few decades, largely based on its geographical merit and the destination attractions like the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. There are a ton of spas here, I call it Spa Valley. Such amenities attract those who can afford them.
Along the proud and sleepy promenade, the core of downtown, an obvious white, rich and retired population strolls around leisurely with grand-kids holding melty ice cream cones.
Aside from the retirees, I notice the rest of the population is a mix of the old farm families that cashed in their land, the absentee second home owners that retreat here on occasion, the second and third generations of early Mexican migrant farm workers, and an injected of vein of sophisticated hippies and yuppies who work and sing to Mother Moon.
Compared to Santa Barbara, Ojai is country-eclectic. It’s the right size to support a small community, surprisingly unpretentious given the cost of housing and the overall scarcity of beautiful landscapes that Ojai capitalizes on.
The locals here are truly friendly, but given that the town’s main money-makers are in tourism and real estate, it’s a given to appreciate the exploring tourist. Don’t expect to get to be genuinely embraced by the town- you’ll need to commit to it to gain respect with the locals.
Always happy to find a health-foodie spot, I sat down in the Hip Vegan Cafe. It says a lot to say that this was probably was the hippest place in town. Pale mild mannered people with scarves and yoga pants were chatty.
I asked for a recommendation from the lady behind the counter, who appeared to be extremely comfortable working here. A sign of a good place to work and even better food.
Somehow I learn she was born and raised here in Ojai.
“There was NOTHING here,” she said, “getting the first electric stop sign was a big deal,” she smiles mockingly at her own history. “I left for a long time, but it [Ojai] has a way of bringing me back. – I have a child.” she added.
I nodded as if I understood. “It seems like a great place to raise kids,” I say between munching on seaweed and flax crackers, delicious by the way.
“It is.” She confirmed, then related that she was aiming to move to Hawaii’s Big Island as soon as things worked out.
Trading one paradise for another. This woman, in her confident, easy-going manner had the good life figured out- choose, civilized pristine beautiful places with at least a handful earthy idealists around to keep life interesting, and find work in places where the product is so healthy it may even considerably extend your happy life. Nice. Did Ojai teach her that?
Can I move into your place when you leave? I thought, but didn’t ask.
Truth was, I could already see that Ojai, cozy and beautiful as it is- was still in many ways, the same sleepy town the woman wanted to move away from. Bedtime for stores, along with half its population was around 8pm.
If you want to get the full impression of the valley, take a drive through Ojai, then double back and go around it, hitting up the neighboring towns.
Otherwise, enjoy your tranquil stay, soaking up the sunshine, breathing dry warm air, eating fresh, cared for food wherever you go. The garden outdoor seating at Suzzane’s Cuisine is worth a light meal (a bit overpriced for the value however).
If by any means you are into getting yourself some drinks, for out or at home, save your money and stop by the most jovial store of all, the Ojai Beverage Company with thousands of delightful bottles to buy, along with a classy bar in the back with 20 beers on tap and tapas on demand.
Ojai’s charm is its unassuming culture embedded in all the fixings of a classy resort town. Leisure is indeed alive here, but defined not by pomp and branding, but by a lack of stop lights and surrounding natural beauty.
Gaia Traveler Tips:
- Make lodging reservations in advance. Don’t expect to be find rooms last minute, especially in the summer season.
- If you are staying longer than a few days, try different B&Bs or motels in the area. They are all about the same price and have different flavors.
- Looking for real estate in Ojai? Lucky ducky for you Coldwell Banker has a local office for non-stop shopping. If I were you I’d rent a house first before diving in. Find a complimentary Ojai rental list at the same brokerage.
